Replacement for a Meade DSX-90AT

I am looking to replace my DSX-90AT. The motor died completely on it and Meade Customer service (which was AWFUL) said that there are no options for replacement parts.

I never got the GOTO on the DSX to work correctly and was thus limited to viewing planets and larger stars that I could find manually. My 7 year old absolutely LOVES astronomy and would love to see some deep space objects like galaxies or nebulae, so it was a real letdown with the Meade even before the drive went out.

We expect to use the scope primarily in our backyard, which has a very open view of the sky, although we might want to take it camping occasionally.

I am currently looking at the Celestron 4SE, the Celestron NexStar 102 SLT, and the Bushnell 5" Mak (not a coincidence that I am avoiding Meade!). I'm looking in the <$700 range.

Any thoughts on these scopes, other suggestions? Thanks for your help!

This may also be relevant-- my backyard has a slope to it. Ability level the scope is also a factor. This may be part of the problem I had with the DSX-90.

Hi

The slope could have been a factor, though I doubt that was the problem.

I'd look into another design and if portability is not a factor, try a refractor such as the Celestron Nexstar 80SLT, which has a pretty user friendly computer.

Thanks for your reply.

Why would you suggest a refractor? I was considering the Celestron NexStar 102 SLT, but leaning toward the Celetron NexStar 4 SE Telescope. I've had trouble understanding the pro/cons of a refractor vs. a Mak.

I think that they both have the same computer (although the SLT for some reason only has 4,000 objects in its database compared to 38,000 for the SE).

Aaron

Hi

A Mak offers the focal length and decent optics of a refractor in a much shorter package. Really the best choice when you want refractor optics, but portability is an issue. If you can afford it, though, the 102 SLT is about as compact as it gets in a refractor.

I would not sweat the number of objects in a data base. Small telescopes will never come close to seeing all those objects, anyway, even in the SLT.